Challenges of a Three-Child Norm in India

Source: The post Challenges of a Three-Child Norm in India has been created, based on the article “Reversing family planning: A three-child norm is regressive” published in “Business Standard” on 3rd December 2024

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper1-Society-population and associated issues

Context: The article discusses India’s declining fertility rate, highlighting concerns about population policies. It critiques Mohan Bhagwat’s suggestion for a three-child norm, emphasizing its negative impact on women and societal progress. It advocates improving education, healthcare, and welfare instead of encouraging larger families. Challenges of a Three-Child Norm in India

For detailed information on Population control measures in India read this article here

What is the Current Fertility Rate in India?

1. India’s total fertility rate (TFR) has fallen from over five births per woman in 1965 to 2.01 in 2022.
2. This rate is now below the replacement rate of 2.1.
3. A study by Lancet predicts that by 2050, India’s TFR could drop to 1.29.

What are the Concerns with a Three-Child Norm?

1. Impact on Women’s Rights: Women will bear the disproportionate burden of having and raising children, reversing progress in education and employment.
2. Low Female Labour Participation: India’s female labour participation rate is already low at 37%, and this policy may worsen it.
3. Negative Effects on Poor Families: Women from poorer and conservative families will be the most affected, further entrenching gender inequality.
4. Administrative Challenges: India lacks the socio-economic progress and welfare efficiency seen in Scandinavian countries, which successfully support larger families through incentives like equal paternity leave.

What are the Implications for Southern States?

1. Andhra Pradesh, led by Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu, has removed a two-child limit for candidates in local elections and is considering incentives for larger families. Telangana might follow this example.
2. Southern states like Tamil Nadu and Kerala, which have effectively controlled their population growth, worry about negative impacts on financial awards from the Finance Commission and reduced parliamentary representation. These concerns suggest a need for national policy adjustments.

For detailed information on What is “Maharashtra’s two-child norm” for govt employees?  read this article here

What Should Be the Way Forward?

1. Encouraging larger families would harm social progress.
   2. Instead, India should focus on strengthening education and healthcare.
   3. This would ensure balanced development and avoid burdening women or reversing societal gains.

Question for practice:

Evaluate the potential social and economic impacts of implementing a three-child norm in India, as discussed in the article.